Quiz: Howstuffworks

We'll Give You 3 Films, You Tell Us the Actor

Jouviane Alexandre

Image: YouTube

About This Quiz

If you're a movie buff, you're probably spending your free time in front of a screen. Regardless of the decade, you've watched all the blockbuster and box office hits. That means you know all the most prominent actors out there by sight, by name, and by their credits - and you could identify just about any of them by hearing any three of their credits listed together.

While some actors have only starred in one or two films, most tend to take larger and smaller roles as they go, resulting in a length filmography. We're here to focus primarily on those who had top billing in multiple features. An actor like Tom Hanks has starred in Saving Private Ryan, Sleepless in Seattle, and The Da Vinci Code, and we've still got a long list of other films to choose from. Training Day, Philadelphia, and Flight might have you thinking of Denzel Washington, another actor with a very lengthy list of credits.

In this quiz, we're going to give you thre major films. Can you tell us the actor? From Jack Nicholson to Meryl Streep, can you identify the actors from their award winning films? Will your score leave you on the D-list or will you be strutting along the Walk of Fame with the A-listers? Let's find out!

Syriana, Ocean's Eleven, The Descendants

George Clooney

Judy Garland

Marlon Brando

Denzel Washington

George Clooney began his extensive acting career in 1978. Since then, he has appeared in films such as "Batman & Robin" (1997), "Ocean's Eleven" (2001), and "Michael Clayton" (2007).

The Next Karate Kid, Boys Don't Cry, and Million Dollar Baby

Robert Duvall

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Sandra Bullock

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank began her acting career in 1991 when she appeared in a few episodes of "Growing Pains." The actress has since starred in films such as "Boys Don't Cry" and "Million Dollar Baby," two films for which she won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

Die Hard, Sixth Sense, Armageddon

Bruce Willis

Sophia Loren

Elizabeth Taylor

Natalie Portman

Bruce Willis began his acting career in the '80s when he first appeared on the TV show, "Moonlighting." Since then, the actor has become well known for the film action series, "Die Hard." Willis has won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.

Takers, Beasts of No Nation, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Keira Knightley

Daniel Day-Lewis

Charlton Heston

Idris Elba

Idris Elba got his start on television in 1994 on "2point4 Children." Since then, the actor has starred in films such as "American Gangster," "Luther," and "The Mountain Between Us."

Invictus, Million Dollar Baby, The Shawshank Redemption

Diane Lane

Morgan Freeman

Robert Redford

Jon Voight

Morgan Freeman got his start in 1980 when he made his film debut in "Brubaker." Since then, the actor has won an Academy Award for "Million Dollar Baby" and a Golden Globe for "Driving Miss Daisy."

The Shining, The Departed, Batman

Jack Nicholson

Cicely Tyson

Al Pacino

Emma Thompson

With a long and successful career, Jack Nicholson first starred in the 1958 film, "The Cry Baby Killer." Since then, the actor has had a number of career-boosting roles. Nicholson has won three Academy Awards for the following: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Terms of Endearment," and "As Good as It Gets." He has also won six Golden Globes.

Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie's Choice, The Iron Lady

Meryl Streep

Russell Crowe

Faye Dunaway

Sidney Poitier

Meryl Streep has appeared in numerous films and is often recognized for her vivid portrayals. With the most Academy Award nominations of any actor ever, Streep has won three Academy Awards for the following: "Kramer vs. Kramer," "Sophie's Choice," and "The Iron Lady."

Dallas Buyers Club, A Time to Kill, The Wedding Planner

Gene Hackman

Liam Neeson

Don Cheadle

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey got his film start in 1993 with a small appearance in "My Boyfriend's Back," but the future star made a definitive splash with the film "Dazed and Confused." McConaughey would go on to star in films such as "A Time to Kill" and "Dallas Buyers Club," the latter of the two which earned him the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actor.

Collateral, Ray, Dreamgirls

Robert De Niro

Jamie Foxx

Leonardo DiCaprio

Tommy Lee Jones

Although he began on TV and even starred in his own show, "The Jamie Foxx Show," the actor eventually took his talents to the big screen. Following the film, "Collateral," Jamie Foxx starred in the biopic "Ray" about the late Ray Charles. The role earned him the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actor.

Remember the Titans, Malcolm X, Fences

Meryl Streep

Emma Stone

Denzel Washington

Christian Bale

Although known for his performances on stage, Denzel Washington is possibly one of the biggest names on the big screen. He got his start on film in 1981 in the film, "Carbon Copy." Washington would then go on to star in "Glory" and "Training Day," two roles that earned him Academy Awards.

The Shack, Hidden Figures, The Help

Jessica Lange

Octavia Spencer

Cary Grant

Ben Kingsley

Octavia Spencer got her acting start in 1996 with an appearance in the film, "A Time to Kill." She then went on to star in films like "The Help" and "Hidden Figures," both which earned her Academy Award nominations and the former which got her the win.

Raging Bull, Silver Linings Playbook, The Godfather Part II

Robert De Niro

Bette Davis

Julie Christie

Helena Bonham Carter

Robert De Niro has had an extensive film career since he first started acting in 1965. With two Academy Awards and two Golden Globes under his belt, "The Godfather Part II" and "Raging Bull" helped solidify his career.

Closer, Black Swan, Jackie

Glenn Close

Michael Caine

Natalie Portman

Dennis Hopper

Natalie Portman got her film start in 1994 in "Leon: The Professional." She has since appeared in films such as "Heat" and "Anywhere but Here." Portman won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her role in the 2010 film, "Black Swan."

Bird, The Last King of Scotland, Lee Daniels' The Butler

Forest Whitaker

Kate Winslet

Sally Field

Diane Keaton

Forest Whitaker got his film start in 1982 in the film, "Tag: The Assassination Game." Since then, he has appeared in an assortment of other films, including "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." The actor would go on to star in his game-changing role in the 2006 film, "The Last King of Scotland," a role which earned him both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Girl, Interrupted, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Julia Roberts

Clint Eastwood

Sean Connery

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie got her film start in the 1982 film, "Lookin' to Get Out" alongside her father, Jon Voight. Since then, the actress has starred in films such as "Wanted" and "Salt." She won an Academy Award in 2000 for her role in the film, "Girl, Interrupted."

The Princess Diaries, Les Miserables, The Devil Wears Prada

Anne Hathaway

Shirley MacLaine

Michelle Pfieffer

Gary Oldman

Anne Hathaway quickly became a breakout star when she starred in the 2001 Disney film, "The Princess Diaries" alongside Julie Andrews. With her role as Fantine in the 2012 film, "Les Miserables," she won both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.

Good Will Hunting, Saving Private Ryan, The Bourne Supremacy

Hellen Hunt

Tom Hank

Anthony Hopkins

Matt Damon

Albeit small, Matt Damon got his film debut in the 1988 film, "Mystic Pizza." He would then go on to land huge roles, one in the 1997 film, "Good Will Hunting," a film which he wrote alongside Ben Affleck, and for which he won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. He also won a Golden Globe for his role in the 2016 film, "The Martian."

Ali, Independence Day, The Pursuit of Happyness

Sigourney Weaver

Tom Cruise

Joaquin Phoenix

Will Smith

Will Smith first got his start in music before he put on his acting hat. While getting his own TV show in 1990, he starred in his first film in 1992. The actor would then go on to star in films such as "Bad Boys," "Independence Day," and "Men in Black" before his critically acclaimed performance in "Ali." This film, as well as the 2007 film, "The Pursuit of Happyness," would both earn him Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.

Ghost, Sister Act, The Color Purple

Charlize Theron

Whoopi Goldberg

Nicole Kidman

Peter O'Toole

Whoopi Goldberg first got her start in 1982 but received recognition for her role in the 1985 film, "The Color Purple," a role which earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. She would also go on to star in "Ghost" and "Sister Act," the former which earned her both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.

Fences, Suicide Squad, The Help

Jeff Bridges

Audrey Hepburn

Viola Davis

Dustin Hoffman

Viola Davis got her acting start in 1996 when she appeared on the TV show, "NYPD Blue," and the film, "The Substance of War." The actress would go on to star in the 2016 film, "Fences," which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Monster's Ball, X-Men, Catwoman

Angelina Jolie

Willem Dafoe

Winona Ryder

Halle Berry

Halle Berry got her film debut in 1991 in the film, "Jungle Fever." In 2001, she became the first black woman - and the only one to date - to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film,​ "Monster's Ball."

Jerry Maguire, Mission Impossible, Collateral

Reese Witherspoon

Judi Dench

Hilary Swank

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise got his film start in the 1981 film, "Endless Love." He would then go on to solidify his career in the '80s with films such as "Risky Business" and "Top Gun." The actor won three Golden Globe awards for the films, "Born on the Fourth of July," "Jerry Maguire," and "Magnolia."

Pulp Fiction, A Time to Kill, The Avengers

Jodie Foster

Ruby Dee

Samuel L. Jackson

Viola Davis

Samuel L. Jackson made his film debut in 1972 in the film, "Together for Days." Since then he has starred in such films as "Pulp Fiction," "Django Unchained" and "Die Hard with a Vengeance."

Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Victor/Victoria

Nick Nolte

Jack Nicholson

Renee Zellweger

Julie Andrews

Julie Andres first took her talents to film in 1964 film, "Mary Poppins." Immediately shooting the actress to fame, she won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress. She would then go on to star as Maria von Trapp in the iconic, "The Sound of Music."

The Godfather, Scent of a Woman, Serpico

Julianne Moore

James Earl Jones

Al Pacino

Morgan Freeman

Al Pacino got his start in 1969 in the film, "Me, Natalie." He rose to instant fame in the 1972 film, "The Godfather." He would later go on to star as Tony Montana in the 1983 cult classic, "Scarface." He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for the 1993 film, "Scent of a Woman."

Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Fugitive

Jane Fonda

Maggie Smith

Harrison Ford

Michael Douglas

Harrison Ford got his film debut in 1966 in the film, "Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round." The actor would go on to become known for his role as Han Solo in the "Star Wars" franchise as well as his role as Indiana Jones.

Miss Congeniality, The Blind Side, Gravity

Sandra Bullock

Cate Blanchett

Kathy Bates

Debbie Reynolds

Sandra Bullock first appeared in the 1987 film, "Hangmen." She would go on to star in a slew of successful films which include, "While You Were Sleeping," "A Time to Kill," and "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." The actress was nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Actress, an award she won in 2010 for the film, "The Blind Side."

Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, Erin Brockovich

Kirk Douglas

Julia Roberts

Julie Andrews

Ellen Burstyn

Julia Roberts got her first major film start in the 1988 film, "Mystic Pizza." She would then go on to star in major films such as "Steel Magnolias" and "Pretty Woman." The actress won her first and only Academy Award in 2000 for Best Actress for the film, "Erin Brockovich."

The Hunger Games, American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook

Vera Farmiga

Mel Gibson

Jennifer Lawrence

Angela Lansbury

Jennifer Lawrence got her film start in 2008 in the film, "Garden Party." Her career continued to grow after she landed the role of Katniss​ Everdeen in the film series, "The Hunger Games." In the same year, she starred in the 2012 film, "Silver Linings Playbook," a role that won her Best Actress at the Academy Awards.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Moneyball, Fight Club

Harrison Ford

Morgan Freeman

Brad Pitt

Cate Blanchett

Brad Pitt got his first major role in the 1988 film, "The Dark Side of the Sun." He would go on to appear in films such as "Thelma & Louise," "Seven," and the 1999 cult favorite, "Fight Club." The actor won his first Golden Globe for the 1995 film, "12 Monkeys" and his second for producing the 2013 Best Motion Picture, "12 Years a Slave."

Titanic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Reader

Clint Eastwood

Julie Christie

Sally Field

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet got her film start in 1994 in "Heavenly Creatures." She would then go on to star in "Sense and Sensibility," "Titanic," and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," all of which earned her Academy Award nominations. In 2009, the actress won her first Oscar for her role in the film, "The Reader."

Titanic, The Revenant, Blood Diamond

Leonardo DiCaprio

Robert Duvall

Jack Nicholson

Matt Damon

Leonardo DiCaprio got his film debut in 1991 in the film, "Critters 3." Since then, the actor has starred in film after film that has been given critical acclaim. After such successful films as "The Departed," "Blood Diamond," "Inception," "Django Unchained," "The Great Gatsby" and "The Wolf of Wall Street," the actor finally won​ his first Academy Award for Best Actor for the 2015 film "The Revenant."

Big, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump

Ben Kingsley

Tom Hanks

Hilary Swank

Don Cheadle

Although he began on stage in the '70s, Tom Hanks got his film debut in 1980 in the film, "He Knows You're Alone." The actor would go on to star in popular films such as "Splash," "Big," "A League of their Own," and "Saving Private Ryan." In 1993 and 1994, Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the films "Philadelphia" and "Saving Private Ryan," respectively.

The Hangover, Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper

Glenn Close

Robert Redford

Bradley Cooper

Ryan Reynolds

Bradley Cooper first appeared in the 2001 film, "Wet Hot American Summer." The actor would go on to star in films such as "He's Just Not That Into You" and the hit 2009 comedy, "The Hangover." The actor received Academy Awards for his roles in "Silver Linings Playbook," "American Hustle," and "American Sniper."

Grease, Pulp Fiction, and Saturday Night Fever

Patrick Swayze

John Travolta

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Clint Eastwood

John Travolta began his film career in 1975 with "The Devil's Rain." The actor was nominated for an Academy Award for his roles in the 1978 film, "Saturday Night Fever," as well as his 1995 film, "Pulp Fiction." Travolta won a Golden Globe for the 1996 film, "Get Shorty."

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